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Tell-Tale
How do you tell your brother’s best friend that you love him? How do you tell your brother you’re in love with his best friend? The you don’t. You rip up floorboards and you bury your love underneath so no one can find out. But what if the floorboards aren’t enough? What if you can still feel it, still hear it? The you deny. You deny the feelings, deny the urges, deny the facts... because the last thing you want to do is confess. ** Tell-Tale is a contemporary romance inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart **
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2019
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461 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 31, 2022
4.5 ⭐️ rounded down
3 🌶
THIS WAS SO GOOD YALL. I MEAN, THE DRAMA!! THE SPICE! very enjoyable and surprisingly quick read.
I’m rounding down for now because it was a bit too dramatic, maybe? But I might come back and round up because I actually loved it
3 🌶
THIS WAS SO GOOD YALL. I MEAN, THE DRAMA!! THE SPICE! very enjoyable and surprisingly quick read.
I’m rounding down for now because it was a bit too dramatic, maybe? But I might come back and round up because I actually loved it
February 10, 2019
Tell-Tale is another book based on one of Edgar Allan Poe's work. The Poe piece is in the horror genre so in complete honesty, I was nervous to read this one by Danielle Allen. Horror is not something I typically do in books or movies.
Whew, Tell-Tale was an extremely pleasant surprise. First, can we talk about how breathtaking the cover is? This woman is absolutely beautiful! The question remained would the words on the pages match the beauty of the cover...
Tell-Tale is a story of what happens when we allow a childhood pact to dictate our lives. Tell-Tale is a story of when we don't fully live our lives because we allow what others may think to dictate our lives. Tell-Tale is a story of what happens when we get in our way and we allow the thought of "what if" instead of living in the moment to dictate our lives.
"I was completely in love with Noah, but love doesn't always equate to a relationship being successful. I couldn't imagine a life without him. It would kill me to lose him as a friend, but it would also kill me to lose the prospect of him as my future."
Allen has written Tell-Tale in such a way that while it is a book about romance that it can symbolize so many other aspects of life. What/Who are you willing to take a chance on? Are we willing to do what it takes to make ourselves happy? It would be easy to write about True and Noah's characters because Noah will definitely be on some reader's "book boyfriend" lists. But, what stood out to me is that Tell-Tale, in what has become Danielle Allen's signature style, goes much deeper than what the premise states. It will touch you in unimaginable places and make you take a step back and look at your own life. That to me is the major difference between an author simply writing a story to entertain versus one that writes to touch souls. Bravo, Ms. Allen!!
Whew, Tell-Tale was an extremely pleasant surprise. First, can we talk about how breathtaking the cover is? This woman is absolutely beautiful! The question remained would the words on the pages match the beauty of the cover...
Tell-Tale is a story of what happens when we allow a childhood pact to dictate our lives. Tell-Tale is a story of when we don't fully live our lives because we allow what others may think to dictate our lives. Tell-Tale is a story of what happens when we get in our way and we allow the thought of "what if" instead of living in the moment to dictate our lives.
"I was completely in love with Noah, but love doesn't always equate to a relationship being successful. I couldn't imagine a life without him. It would kill me to lose him as a friend, but it would also kill me to lose the prospect of him as my future."
Allen has written Tell-Tale in such a way that while it is a book about romance that it can symbolize so many other aspects of life. What/Who are you willing to take a chance on? Are we willing to do what it takes to make ourselves happy? It would be easy to write about True and Noah's characters because Noah will definitely be on some reader's "book boyfriend" lists. But, what stood out to me is that Tell-Tale, in what has become Danielle Allen's signature style, goes much deeper than what the premise states. It will touch you in unimaginable places and make you take a step back and look at your own life. That to me is the major difference between an author simply writing a story to entertain versus one that writes to touch souls. Bravo, Ms. Allen!!
September 8, 2022
This was different I love this version or interpretation of the Tell- Tale Heart by Poe.
August 1, 2019
Reviewed at Lost In A Book
*Complimentary copy received from author for review purposes.
I have to say, Danielle Allen never ceases to amaze me. I love this, I mean, I really LOVE this.
Reading this was like 11th grade Lit class, but more exciting and less bullshit papers to write.
She took Poe's short horror story and wove her own style into and around it to write a phenomenal contemporary romance. And you can see Poe everywhere in the story. You really should read The Tell Tale Heart, at least for a refresher, before reading this. Even if you don't know Poe's story, Tell-Tale will stand on it's own. But with the knowledge of The Tell Tale Heart, you'll be able to pick up on all of the little things that make this just so amazing.
If you've read Nevermore, you already know, Danielle is good at what she does. Nevermore hurt me, and so did this one. It's one of those things where you feel what the characters feel. True and Noah, they had me. I get them. I get them so hard. It's a tough thing to want something, to really, really want something and to know that you can't have it and you never will be able to have it.
This book, it speaks to me. It's all:
"I want it. I want it so bad. It is everything, I need it to live and breath.
But time, circumstance and the world give me a big, fat NO!
And then...
FINALLY, to get it, to really get what I want and need so bad.
It is A-MAZ-ING! It's an all encompassing love and lust filled moment!"
I really just don't have enough good things to say about this. READ IT!
Oh, and for you dirty, dirty birds... There's an awesome, porntastic sex scene.
March 3, 2019
Great love story!
This was a beautifully written love story. I loved the importance of family, friendship and loyalty that embodied the storyline. The moral about being honest and true to ones heart was also tied in so cleverly with True's bracelet. Noah and True had the ultimate love. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers.
This was a beautifully written love story. I loved the importance of family, friendship and loyalty that embodied the storyline. The moral about being honest and true to ones heart was also tied in so cleverly with True's bracelet. Noah and True had the ultimate love. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers.
July 30, 2020
Unlike in Poe's original short story, heroine True doesn't have an actual dead body buried under her floorboards. Instead, it's her secrets that create a metaphorical tell-tale heart. True has been in love with her brother's best friend, Noah, for years. Noah also has the same feelings for True. However, since they made a pact with her brother to never date each other's family members, True and Noah have been denying their feelings for years. Now, while at her brother's exotic island wedding, their feelings can no longer be denied, but the secrets may destroy them both.
I got this book because I needed a Poe retelling for a reading challenge, and it looked interesting. Like Poe's original story, Tell-Tale is all about keeping secrets, and what it does to the people keeping the secrets. True develops a rash only she can see, which only goes away once she and Noah have confessed their feelings to each other and to her family (and they've made peace with her family). It's more subtle than the tell-tale heart of Poe's, but a great modern interpretation of classic literary themes.
I got this book because I needed a Poe retelling for a reading challenge, and it looked interesting. Like Poe's original story, Tell-Tale is all about keeping secrets, and what it does to the people keeping the secrets. True develops a rash only she can see, which only goes away once she and Noah have confessed their feelings to each other and to her family (and they've made peace with her family). It's more subtle than the tell-tale heart of Poe's, but a great modern interpretation of classic literary themes.
March 31, 2019
That pact of theirs worked my last damn nerve BUT Noah and True’s love story was everything!!!! I loved the slow build to their realization that they were the ones for each other. I read with bated breath as every chapter illustrated what inevitably would happen. I was just wondering when and when it happened, it was worth the wait! This story was beautifully narrated and played out wonderfully. The scenarios were realistic and drove me insane. That Whitney was called all kinds of names by me in my mind and out loud, I could not with her. This was a page turner and I really enjoyed it from the first line.
August 19, 2019
I know at the beginning, the author mentioned it being inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's A Tale Tell heart. Truthfully, I don't remember much about that story, but It didn't deter me from enjoying and understanding this book. The Characters were very real like and I loved every minute of the story. The Author did a very good job, and I can't wait to read the next book from her.
October 20, 2022
4.5★
-inspired by tell-tale heart
-brother's best friend
-they made a pact with her brother to never date each other's friends
-spice is top tier
First I am absolutely in love with this cover. I feel like it fit October vibes perfectly. Even though Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe is in the spooky genre, this book was not. However, all of the similar elements and the spin on the original story were so interesting to see. Tell-Tale Heart is one of my favorite short stories and I absolutely loved this book. I would definitely suggest reading Poe’s short story prior to this book if you’re too familiar with it.
This was my first Danielle Allen book and I am so addicted. You know when you just really vibe with an author's writing style? That's how I feel about Danielle Allen’s writing!! I instantly vibed with it. ALSO, brother’s best friend is one of my fav tropes, I love the tension and angst that comes along with it and Danielle DELIVERED.
This story follows True and Noah. Along with Sa (True’s brother), the trio has been friends forever. Over time, True slowly starts to realize she has feelings for Noah but due to a pact they made when they were young she can’t do anything about it. These feelings start to consume her until she can’t keep them in any longer.
Reasons I loved this book: Noah is hot!!!, the found family aspect, True’s parent's relationship, True’s friendships, the dramatics, the format, the unique spin on a classic story
10000% recommend this book, I will be adding more by Danielle Allen to my tbr!!!
-inspired by tell-tale heart
-brother's best friend
-they made a pact with her brother to never date each other's friends
-spice is top tier
First I am absolutely in love with this cover. I feel like it fit October vibes perfectly. Even though Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe is in the spooky genre, this book was not. However, all of the similar elements and the spin on the original story were so interesting to see. Tell-Tale Heart is one of my favorite short stories and I absolutely loved this book. I would definitely suggest reading Poe’s short story prior to this book if you’re too familiar with it.
This was my first Danielle Allen book and I am so addicted. You know when you just really vibe with an author's writing style? That's how I feel about Danielle Allen’s writing!! I instantly vibed with it. ALSO, brother’s best friend is one of my fav tropes, I love the tension and angst that comes along with it and Danielle DELIVERED.
This story follows True and Noah. Along with Sa (True’s brother), the trio has been friends forever. Over time, True slowly starts to realize she has feelings for Noah but due to a pact they made when they were young she can’t do anything about it. These feelings start to consume her until she can’t keep them in any longer.
Reasons I loved this book: Noah is hot!!!, the found family aspect, True’s parent's relationship, True’s friendships, the dramatics, the format, the unique spin on a classic story
10000% recommend this book, I will be adding more by Danielle Allen to my tbr!!!
March 24, 2019
Loved It 💕
Okaayyy True is better than me because she kept that secret and them feelings for waaaayyy too long, but I understand her hesitancy and why she did. Noah never backed down though even when his words said so, but his actions proved other wise. Sa was going to make me fight him frfr it was like at one point fam ain't get it and was bout to have a tantrum. Allll in all I'm happy with the ending.
Okaayyy True is better than me because she kept that secret and them feelings for waaaayyy too long, but I understand her hesitancy and why she did. Noah never backed down though even when his words said so, but his actions proved other wise. Sa was going to make me fight him frfr it was like at one point fam ain't get it and was bout to have a tantrum. Allll in all I'm happy with the ending.
May 31, 2019
Great story 💘💘
This story was well written and loved the characters. Wasn't too crazy about the pact between Noah, True and Sadiq but it ended well. Sadiq and Harper were too cute and Whitney needed to get a life. This story shows that true love is worth waiting for.
This story was well written and loved the characters. Wasn't too crazy about the pact between Noah, True and Sadiq but it ended well. Sadiq and Harper were too cute and Whitney needed to get a life. This story shows that true love is worth waiting for.
March 8, 2024
Another Good One
I am slowly making it through Danielle Allen’s catalog. Her books are now my go to reads when I want something that I know will be good. I loved True and Noah’s story. I didn’t want it to end. Also this author’s spicy scenes are always en pointe.
I am slowly making it through Danielle Allen’s catalog. Her books are now my go to reads when I want something that I know will be good. I loved True and Noah’s story. I didn’t want it to end. Also this author’s spicy scenes are always en pointe.
February 17, 2019
Loved it!
December 31, 2019
This is the Danielle Allen that I love! Tell-Tale was the perfect way to end my year of reading. I loved this story.
October 25, 2022
i want them both
February 13, 2019
She’s done it again!!!
This book just skyrocketed to my top three favors Danielle Allen books!! They way she turned a scary short story into a contemporary romance novels is beyond me, but her mind works in ways no one can touch. I loved everything about this because of the differences and similarities. I don’t want to give anything away but the way True was dealing with her guilt and how it was driving her completely crazy was the Poe touch. I also liked how that all manifested in so many ways. The relationship between True and Noah was everything. I loved how and when they both realized they were in love and how I was able to see the manifestation of their relationship. To me that was the best part how it started from the very beginning to catch us up so that we really understood what was happening between the two. With every book she tends to amaze me but the romance but more importantly the underlying issues she brings up in her stories. They way she can make you love her characters then give them so much depth they are real people in your life. I can’t say enough good things about this book or this author other than I’m sure the next book will be just as good if not better!! Please keep blessing us with your work Ms. Allen
This book just skyrocketed to my top three favors Danielle Allen books!! They way she turned a scary short story into a contemporary romance novels is beyond me, but her mind works in ways no one can touch. I loved everything about this because of the differences and similarities. I don’t want to give anything away but the way True was dealing with her guilt and how it was driving her completely crazy was the Poe touch. I also liked how that all manifested in so many ways. The relationship between True and Noah was everything. I loved how and when they both realized they were in love and how I was able to see the manifestation of their relationship. To me that was the best part how it started from the very beginning to catch us up so that we really understood what was happening between the two. With every book she tends to amaze me but the romance but more importantly the underlying issues she brings up in her stories. They way she can make you love her characters then give them so much depth they are real people in your life. I can’t say enough good things about this book or this author other than I’m sure the next book will be just as good if not better!! Please keep blessing us with your work Ms. Allen
November 20, 2020
Amazing Black love story
Love everything about this love story. The friendship, the romance, the love. I'm off to devour everything by Ms. Allen.
Love everything about this love story. The friendship, the romance, the love. I'm off to devour everything by Ms. Allen.
March 17, 2019
LOVED it
Danielle 's amazing talent is revealed once again in this adaption covErage Allen Poe's poem into an in depth romance. True Hart and Noah Perry had a lifelong love story, that developed and matured over 12 years. Their journey to happily ever after was not without struggle and pain, the biggest obstacle in their journey to happiness was convincing her brother that what they had was solid and real. Danielle pens an amazing story for True and Noah filled with much emotion and passion. The story embodies family and friendships at their finest, as with any true love story if course there will be a bitter ex lover trying to wreck havoc.
Danielle 's amazing talent is revealed once again in this adaption covErage Allen Poe's poem into an in depth romance. True Hart and Noah Perry had a lifelong love story, that developed and matured over 12 years. Their journey to happily ever after was not without struggle and pain, the biggest obstacle in their journey to happiness was convincing her brother that what they had was solid and real. Danielle pens an amazing story for True and Noah filled with much emotion and passion. The story embodies family and friendships at their finest, as with any true love story if course there will be a bitter ex lover trying to wreck havoc.
March 20, 2019
I love Danielle Allen...but I just didn’t love this book. It started out so strong, but then got repetitive and kind of boring. The sexual tension as usual is off the charts in this book. But all the hiding and misunderstandings and other girl drama was too childish for my tastes.
Will I read more from Danielle? Of course! I just don’t think I could read this book again though.
Will I read more from Danielle? Of course! I just don’t think I could read this book again though.
March 17, 2019
Fate
Noah, Sadiq and True, three musketeers, the three amigos, their friendship was wonderful. The connection between True and Noah was hard to hide. That spark was always there. How they were able to fool people, fool themselves, for that long was remarkable. It almost took too long for them to realize they were hurting themselves as well as other people. You can't fight your destiny, no matter who may not like it.
Noah, Sadiq and True, three musketeers, the three amigos, their friendship was wonderful. The connection between True and Noah was hard to hide. That spark was always there. How they were able to fool people, fool themselves, for that long was remarkable. It almost took too long for them to realize they were hurting themselves as well as other people. You can't fight your destiny, no matter who may not like it.
February 14, 2019
Such a wonderful work of art
As an EAP fan I get it. The tell tale was yet another example of art and great entertainment by this author. True Hart and Noah Perry had a unique relationship connecting them as a three-party family plan. You'll understand what that means later. Sadiq , Noah and True had a bond that would be tested, strained and nearly broken but, in the true spirit of madness, true love and forgiveness - love prevailed. Bravo Ms. Allen, you are the queen!
As an EAP fan I get it. The tell tale was yet another example of art and great entertainment by this author. True Hart and Noah Perry had a unique relationship connecting them as a three-party family plan. You'll understand what that means later. Sadiq , Noah and True had a bond that would be tested, strained and nearly broken but, in the true spirit of madness, true love and forgiveness - love prevailed. Bravo Ms. Allen, you are the queen!
March 12, 2019
Requited Love
I believe this is my first book by the author and it was an easy and enjoyable read. I really liked the familial and friendship bonds that served as a constant under current throughout the book and was a guide for the characters. Noah and True had all the foundational elements that would make for a successful relationship but juvenile pacts, tawdry affairs, and suppressed feelings not only prolonged the inevitable but complicated it as well.
At times the amped up drama (Lola, Whitney, and other exes) mixed with redundancy and repetitiveness dragged out the story and only served as an annoying distraction but all in all, it was a great story of love, family, friendship and what happens when you finally get the desires of your heart.
I believe this is my first book by the author and it was an easy and enjoyable read. I really liked the familial and friendship bonds that served as a constant under current throughout the book and was a guide for the characters. Noah and True had all the foundational elements that would make for a successful relationship but juvenile pacts, tawdry affairs, and suppressed feelings not only prolonged the inevitable but complicated it as well.
At times the amped up drama (Lola, Whitney, and other exes) mixed with redundancy and repetitiveness dragged out the story and only served as an annoying distraction but all in all, it was a great story of love, family, friendship and what happens when you finally get the desires of your heart.
March 15, 2019
Enjoyable read
Enjoyed the story and the characters. Loved the bond that Noah, True, and Sadiq had. Really enjoyed Noah and True's romance. The whole wedding week was great. So much happened. Ari is my girl, a great friend to True. Now I have to check out that playlist.
Enjoyed the story and the characters. Loved the bond that Noah, True, and Sadiq had. Really enjoyed Noah and True's romance. The whole wedding week was great. So much happened. Ari is my girl, a great friend to True. Now I have to check out that playlist.
March 12, 2019
Worth reading!
UGH! I fell completely in love with this book. I especially loved how it focused on the interactions of the main characters.. this book definitely kept me interested (and dang near gave me a heart attack halfway through it). I enjoyed Noah and True’s journey to true love. EXCELLENT READ! I can’t wait to reread it. Danielle Allen did it again!
UGH! I fell completely in love with this book. I especially loved how it focused on the interactions of the main characters.. this book definitely kept me interested (and dang near gave me a heart attack halfway through it). I enjoyed Noah and True’s journey to true love. EXCELLENT READ! I can’t wait to reread it. Danielle Allen did it again!
March 7, 2019
Okay!
This was the first book that I’ve read by Danielle Allen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn’t quite sure about reading it when I saw the Edgar Allen Poe reference, but it was very well written. To think that True and Noah carried their crush on each other for twelve years was simply amazing. Sadiq irritated me initially about how he handled the relationship, but eventually their friendship remained intact.
This was the first book that I’ve read by Danielle Allen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn’t quite sure about reading it when I saw the Edgar Allen Poe reference, but it was very well written. To think that True and Noah carried their crush on each other for twelve years was simply amazing. Sadiq irritated me initially about how he handled the relationship, but eventually their friendship remained intact.
March 9, 2019
My favorite!
I’m kicking myself that I waited so long to read this!! True and Noah were everything! I loved them both and wanted nothing but their happiness. I was even about to throw Sadiq away if he didn’t get on board. The whole story was satisfying and it’s definitely a 5 star read.
I’m kicking myself that I waited so long to read this!! True and Noah were everything! I loved them both and wanted nothing but their happiness. I was even about to throw Sadiq away if he didn’t get on board. The whole story was satisfying and it’s definitely a 5 star read.
March 9, 2019
Great read
This was well written.. I love the bond that all the main characters had. The layout of the wedding was absolutely beautiful. Great job
This was well written.. I love the bond that all the main characters had. The layout of the wedding was absolutely beautiful. Great job
March 6, 2019
This was a great remake of a Poe classic with a romantic twist. The story is of two best friends who have been in love with each other for over 12 years but have been apart due to a pact made in middle school. Love their love story, hopefully Ms. Allen gives us another story from these two characters.
March 7, 2019
Very good👌
Love it, the storyline amazing, these characters were perfect, why they didn't put Whitney in a straight jacket that girl was crazy as hell
. Amazing ending😍👍👌
Love it, the storyline amazing, these characters were perfect, why they didn't put Whitney in a straight jacket that girl was crazy as hell
. Amazing ending😍👍👌
March 7, 2019
Whew...
Niall. Biting. Roller. Coaster. Ride... I can always trust Danielle Allen keep me on my toes. Guess what? She did not disappoint! Well done sis. Well done!
Niall. Biting. Roller. Coaster. Ride... I can always trust Danielle Allen keep me on my toes. Guess what? She did not disappoint! Well done sis. Well done!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews